"Pay 100 Million Won for Pro Registration"... Police Book 3 Gwangju FC Officials

Police: "Concluding Investigation of the CEO and Other Suspects"

Senior officials at the professional football K League 1 club Gwangju FC, including the CEO, have been booked by police on accusations of demanding large sums of money from youth team players ahead of decisions regarding joining the professional team and their career paths.

Exterior view of Gwangju Western Police Station.

On July 8, the Gwangju Seobu Police Station in Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Integrated City announced that they have booked three Gwangju FC officials, including the CEO, on charges including attempted bribery and are currently investigating the case.

They are accused of demanding 100 million won in cash, under the guise of a youth development fund, in exchange for calling up player B, who came through the club’s youth team, to the professional team (priority designation followed by professional registration).

In addition, they are also accused of demanding an additional 60 million won as compensation for training support, under the pretext of 'withdrawing the priority designation'—a necessary step for player B to join a club other than Gwangju FC. At that time, it is reported that player B was seriously considering his options between joining a professional team, attending university, or transferring to another club as he approached high school graduation.

This incident came to light when the victim's parent filed a complaint with the Seobu Police Station around mid-April, exposing these actions by club officials.

According to the parent's statements and the content of the complaint, player B played for the Gwangju FC youth team for six years, from middle school through high school. As graduation approached, he and three of his peers were given priority designation by clubs, granting them the opportunity to play in the professional league. However, Gwangju FC ultimately registered only the other three players with the professional team, excluding player B.

The parent claims that during this process, a senior club employee approached them and demanded an illicit payment, stating, "If you pay 100 million won as a development fund, we will register him with the professional team."

Since the complaint was filed, the police have summoned and questioned the suspects, including the club's CEO, one after another.

A police official stated, "We plan to soon conclude the investigation of the suspects and determine the final course of action after a legal review."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.